Rotary strap tensioning apparatus

ABSTRACT

A strap tensioning apparatus ( 10 ) adapted to releasably engage and rotate the ratchet hub ( 100 ) of a strap tensioning ratchet wherein, the ratchet hub ( 100 ) is provided with a transverse bore ( 101 ) and the apparatus ( 10 ) includes a collar member ( 20 ) having a peripheral aperture ( 21 ) alignable with one end of the transverse bore ( 101 ) wherein, a lever arm ( 30 ) is pivotally connected to the collar member ( 20 ) and provided with a post ( 33 ) dimensioned to extend into the transverse bore ( 101 ) and the collar member ( 20 ) is further provided with a handle member ( 40 ) adapted to rotate both the collar member ( 20 ) and the ratchet hub ( 100 ) when the post ( 33 ) is engaged in the transverse bore ( 101 ).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This invention was the subject matter of Document Disclosure Program Registration Program No. 529,216, that was filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Apr. 10, 2003.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of cargo strap tensioning devices in general and in-particular to an apparatus that connects to a strap tensioning hub and is provided with a handle for rotating the hub.

2. Description of Related Art

As can be seen by reference to the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,425,154; 5,524,505; 6,092,437; and, 6,196,092, the prior art is replete with myriad and diverse cargo strap tensioning devices.

While all of the aforementioned prior art constructions are more than adequate for the basic purpose and function for which they have been specifically designed, they are uniformly deficient with respect to their failure to provide a simple, efficient, and practical strap tensioning apparatus that quickly and securely engages the apertured ratchet hub that is provided on most flat bed trailers.

As the present time, these ratchet hubs are either rotated by hand, which is extremely difficult, or by inserting a steel bar through the transverse bore in the ratchet hub which is very cumbersome and usually results in bruised knuckles.

As a consequence of the foregoing situation, there has existed a longstanding need among truckers for a new and improved strap tensioning apparatus that can releasably engage a tensioning ratchet hub in a secure manner and can easily rotate the ratchet hub to place a desired tension on the load securing strap, and the provision of such a construction is a stated objective of the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly stated, the strap tensioning apparatus that forms the basis of the present invention comprises in general a collar unit, a locking unit and a handle unit wherein the locking unit releasably attaches the collar unit to a strap tensioning ratchet hub to apply tension to the load securing strap.

As will be explained in greater detail further on in the specification, the collar unit comprises a collar member dimensioned to slidably engage the periphery of a ratchet hub provided with a transverse bore wherein the collar member is further provided with an aperture that is alignable with the transverse bore on the ratchet hub.

In addition, the locking unit comprises a generally L-shaped lever arm member that is pivotally attached to the collar member wherein, the lower segment of the L-shaped lever arm member is provided with a downwardly depending post that is dimensioned to pass through the peripheral aperture in the collar member and extend into the transverse bore in the ratchet hub.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other attributes of the invention will become more clear upon a thorough study of the following description of the best mode for carrying out the invention, particularly when reviewed in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tensioning apparatus that forms the basis of the present invention prior to engagement with the ratchet hub;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the arrangement depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the tensioning apparatus partially engaged with the ratchet hub; and,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the tensioning apparatus fully engaged with the ratchet hub.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As can be seen by reference to the drawings, and in particularly to FIG. 1, the strap tensioning apparatus that forms the basis of the present invention is designated generally by the reference number 10. The apparatus 10 comprises in general a collar unit 11, a locking unit 12, and a handle unit 13. These units will now be described in seriatim fashion.

As shown in FIGS. 2 through 4, the collar unit 11 comprises a hollow cylindrical collar member 20 having a single peripheral aperture 21 and a pair of outwardly projecting apertured ear elements 22 22 the purpose and function of which will be described presently.

In addition, the locking unit 12 includes a generally L-shaped lever arm 30 which is pivotally suspended in the apertured ear element 22 via a pivot rod 31 wherein, the lower segment 32 of the lever arm 30 is provided with a downwardly extending post 33 and the upper segment 34 of the lever arm 30 is attached to one end of a spring element 35 the other end of which is operatively connected to the collar member 20 to bias the post 33 into penetrating engagement with the peripheral aperture 21 in the collar member 20.

As can best be seen by reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, the handle unit 13 comprises a generally L-shaped handle member 40 having a shaft portion 41 fixedly secured to the collar member 20 and a rotating handle element 42 disposed perpendicular to the free end of the shaft portion 41 for reasons that will be explained presently.

By now it should be apparent that the purpose and function of the strap tensioning apparatus 10 is to engage and rotate a strap tensioning ratchet hub 100 having a transverse bore 101.

In order to accomplish that objective, the upper segment 34 of the lever arm 30 is retracted to remove the post 33 from engagement with the peripheral aperture 21 in the collar member 20. The collar member 20 is then slipped over the ratchet hub 100 to align the aperture 21 with the transverse bore 101 of the ratchet hub 100 whereupon, the upper segment 34 of the lever arm 30 is released so that the post 33 becomes engaged in the transverse bore 101 and the handle member 40 can cause the ratchet hub 100 to rotate in a well recognized manner.

Although only an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims.

Having thereby described the subject matter of the present invention, it should be apparent that many substitutions, modifications, and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that the invention as taught and described herein is only to be limited to the extent of the breadth and scope of the appended claims. 

1. A strap tensioning apparatus for releasably engaging and rotating a strap tensioning ratchet hub having a transverse bore wherein, the tensioning apparatus comprises: a collar unit including a cylindrical collar member provided with a peripheral aperture that is dimensioned for alignment with one end of the transverse bore of the ratchet hub; securing means for connecting the collar member to said ratchet hub; and, a handle unit including a handle member connected to said collar member and adapted to provide rotary motion to said collar member.
 2. The apparatus as in claim 1; wherein, said securing means comprises at least in part a post mounted for reciprocal movement relative to the aperture in the collar member and dimensioned to extend into a portion of the transverse bore of the ratchet hub.
 3. The apparatus as in claim 2; wherein, the securing means further includes a lever arm pivotally connected to the collar member wherein, one segment of the lever arm is provided with said post.
 4. The apparatus as in claim 3; wherein, the lever arm has a generally L-shaped configuration that includes a lower segment and an upper segment.
 5. The apparatus as in claim 4; wherein, said post depends downwardly from the lower segment of the lever member.
 6. The apparatus as in claim 5 wherein, the spring element is attached to the upper segment of the lever arm. 